How Northern History shaped the first season of Game of Thrones

HBO Game of Thrones is a dense series, rich in a history steeped in history. So, in virtually every episode, something happens that could use a little explanation. Each week, The Verge will dive into a scene or event from the last episode of the series and explain how we got there. Whether you are essentially Game of Thrones or need a little reminder of previous events, we will try to help you keep your historical record.

Game of Thrones is back, and the premiere of this week's season has done a lot of set-up for the upcoming season. One of the key elements of the setup has been the re-establishment of key players from different northern homes, who have experienced changes of allegiance since our last record. With this in mind, let's take a look at the current state of politics in the North as things start to heat up.

Defeats of Game of Thrones Season 8, Episode 1, "Winterfell"

Starks and Friends

Obviously, the most important personalities of the North are the Rigid House. (If you've gone so far in the series, I probably do not need to explain who these people are.) While the Starks are traditionally the leaders of Winterfell and Warden of the North, there are has a lot of other players in the group. North working with or against Stark House. Before Egon the Conqueror (Aegon I) claimed the Seven Kingdoms, the Starks were kings of the North and ruled over various other houses. Even in the current chaotic situation, these minor homes still owe allegiance to Stark House.

This week's episode, "Winterfell", tells the story of several houses: House Mormont, House Glover, House Karstark and House Umber.

: HBO

House Mormont

Led by the fiery girl and favorite of Lyanna Mormont's fans, House Mormont hails from Bear Island. It is not one of the largest houses in the North, but it has become particularly important politically in recent seasons. Although she was only 10 years old, Lady Mormont had refused to recognize Stannis Baratheon as king, stating in a letter that Bear Island knew only the king of the North, nicknamed "Stark". Lady Mormont was also instrumental in Jon Snow's statement. as a king in the north, calling home Manderly, Glover House and Cerwyn House for failing to serve when they were called to fight. She was the first to declare Jon King.

In "Winterfell", the relationship between Jon and Lyanna is tense. Jon abandoned his crown as king to serve Daenerys Targaryen, and Lyanna claims it. It seems that Mormont House still intends to serve since the Army of the Fallen inflicting retaliation on Winterfell is a greater threat than Jon's betrayal of the title he has received.

Image: HBO

Glover House

The Glover House had a complicated history during the series: its headquarters, Deepwood Mott, was seized by the Greyjoys. During the war of the five kings, and although the Glovers take over their lands, Lord Robert Glover continues to blame the Starks for not having come to their aid during the previous war, as they were tied up at the Lannister house. In season 6, as Jon and Sansa tried to rally their support in the North against the Bolton, Lord Glover refused to help them.

That being said, Lord Glover ended up following the battle of the bastards by saying, "I did not fight by your side on the field and I will regret it until my last day … There will be Other fights to come. The Glover House will be behind Stark House, as we have done for a thousand years. And I'll stand behind Jon Snow! Lord Glover then declared Jon King in the north, after House Mormont and House Manderly.

In this week's episode, the tensions on the abandonment of this title by Jon seem to have revived the grudge between House. Glover and Stark House. Lord Glover will be standing with House Stark, but he seems to interpret this sentiment to the letter: House Glover hides in Deepwood Mott and refuses to help Jon for the impending battle in Winterfell against the Army of the Dead .

Image: HBO

House Karstark

The Karstark, originally from Stark's lineage, was once one of House Stark's most faithful. Bannerman. But during the Five Kings War in Season 3, Lord Rickard Karstark goes against the orders of his overlord, Robb Stark (then declared king of the north) and badbadinates two Lannisters (Martyn and Willem Lannister) . In return, Robb executes Rickard Karstark, forcing the Karstarks to completely abandon Robb's army.

In Season 6, when Roose Bolton made an offer for the North, Harald Karstark, son of the executed Rickard, supported Roose's cause for his anger over House Stark for the murder of his father. Harald and the rest of Karstark House continue to serve the Bolton in their war against Stark House, including fighting with Ramsay Bolton during the bastard battle, in which Harald dies.

After Harald's death, Alys Karstark (his daughter and Rickard's granddaughter) is named head of House Karstark. Alys once again swears his allegiance to Jon Snow and, as seen in this week's episode, as the Karstark banners join Winterfell's armies, this gap seems to have been filled.

Image: HBO

House Umber

The Umbers are among the faithful of House Stark, with the head of the house (today deceased), Greatjon Umber, being the first to declare Robb Stark as the new king of the North since season 1 of the series.

After Greatjon's death in the Five Kings War, his son, Smalljon Umber, took over the Umber House. Smalljon betrays the Starks vis-à-vis the Bolons because he hates the savages and believes that Jon Snow has betrayed the North by combining with them and allowing them to move south of the Wall. Smalljon then entrusted Rickon Stark (whom the Umbers had sheltered) to Ramsay Bolton, who killed Rickon in public.

During the Battle of the Bastards, Smalljon is killed by Tormund Giantsbane, putting House Umber in the hands of his young son, Ned Umber. Like Alys Karstark, Ned swore allegiance to Stark House

In "Winterfell", Ned Umber uses to bring his forces from the last home – the headquarters of Umber House and the northernmost castle of north – in Winterfell. The forces of Jon Snow. But as he returned home to gather his men, he fell victim to the invading army of the night king and was found under the reign of a warrior resurrected by Berric Dondarion, Tormund and the rest of Night Watch. Presumably, the rest of the murdered Umber House is still on its way to Winterfell – as a reinforcement for Night King's army instead of the living ones.